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to manifest his just resentment of the insulting BOOK manner in which the affairs of Spain have been treated during Mr. Pitt's administration, who, 1761. when the justice of his Catholic majesty's claims had been incontrovertibly proved, gave as his final answer, that he would not relax in any thing till the Tower of London was taken sword in hand. If the respect due to royal majesty had been regarded, explanations, it was affirmed, might have been had without difficulty. The ministers of Spain might have said frankly to those of England, what the count de Fuentes by the king's express orders declares publicly : that the said treaty is only a convention between the family of Bourbon, wherein is nothing which has the least relation to the present war: that there is in it an article for the mutual guarantee of the dominions of the two sovereigns, but it is specified therein, that this guarantee is not to be understood but of the dominions which shall remain to France after the present war shall be ended: that although his Catholic majesty might have had reason to think himself offended by the irregular manner in which the memorial for terminating the differences between Spain and England at the same time with the war betwixt this last and France, was returned to M. Bussy, the king of Spain dissembled, and from his love of peace' caused a memorial to be

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BOOK delivered to lord Bristol, wherein it is evidently demonstrated, that the step of France which 1761. put the minister Pitt into so bad humor, did not at all offend either the laws of neutrality, or the sincerity of the two sovereigns: that, as a fresh proof of his pacific spirit, the king of Spain wrote to the king of France his cousin, that if the union of interest in any manner retarded the peace with England, he consented to separate himself from it, not to put any obstacle to so great a happiness. But it was soon seen this was only a pretence on the part of the English minister: for that of France continuing his negotiations without making any mention of Spain, and proposing conditions very advantageous and honorable for England, the minister Pitt, to the great astonishment of the universe, rejected them with disdain, and showed at the same time his ill-will against Spain, to the scandal of the same British council; and unfortunately he has succeeded but too far in his pernicious design." This memorial served to demonstrate the superior sagacity of lord Bristol, who declared, in the course of this negotiation, his firm belief that the treaty in question contained no article injurious to the interests of England, although the preposterous pride of the Spanish court prevented any positive or satisfactory assurance being given on this head;

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and the two nations, from an obstinate ad- BOOK herence to a false and foolish punctilio of honor, found themselves at length involved in a war, which they equally and anxiously wished

to avoid.

1761.

The preparations made for conducting the war against the united force of the house of Bourbon with vigor and effect, showed that the spirit of Mr. Pitt, against whom rather than the king of Great Britain the declaration of the king of Spain seemed to be directed, still influenced and animated the public councils. The grand machine of government, once put into motion, continued for a time its progress with the same force and velocity as if still guided by the powerful hand which first urged it into action. Letters of marque were issued and commissions granted for privateers to act against the subjects of his Catholic majesty; and at length, on the 4th of January, 1762, war was de- 1762. clared against Spain with the accustomed for

malities.

The new parliament had been convened in Session of the preceding month of November, and hadsir John chosen sir John Cust, baronet, for their speaker ; speaker. a man not unworthy, from his extensive knowledge and distinguished probity, to fill the chair vacated by Mr. Onslow. The choice being approved by the king, the session was opened by

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BOOK a well-composed speech from the throne, in which his majesty expressed "his regret at the 1762. unsuccessful termination of the late negotiation for peace, and his resolution to prosecute the war in the most effectual manner, till the enemies of Great Britain, moved by their own losses, and touched with the miseries of so many nations, shall yield to the equitable conditions of an honorable peace." Very loyal addresses were returned. About 240,000 seamen, landmen, and marines, including the Gerinan mercenaries, were voted for the service of the year; and twelve millions borrowed to make up the deficiency of the regular means of supply. A jointure of 100,000l. per annum was settled on the queen, with the palaces of Richmond Old Park and Somerset House; and after passing a variety of acts not distinguished for their peculiar merit or importance, the parliament was prorogued June 2, 1762.

Martinico captured.

Towards the conclusion of the preceding year, a plan had been formed for the conquest of the important island of Martinico, the principal of the French Caribbee islands, and the residence of the governor-general and council, whose jurisdiction extends over all the French Antilles. This island is about 130 miles in circumference; and though the climate is sultry, the soil is fertile, and the country plea

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santly diversified with hill and dale, shaded with BOOK thick woods, and watered with numerous streams. Its produce consists of sugar, indigo, 1702. coffee, cotton, ginger, aloes, and pimento; so that, with the exception of St. Domingo, it was at this period accounted the most populous and flourishing colony belonging to France in America. The armament destined for this expedition consisted of 18 ships of the line, and as many battalions of troops, under general Monckton and admiral sir George Rodney, who, rendezvousing at Barbadoes, proceeded early in the month of January 1762 to Martinico; and on the 16th landed, after silencing the batteries erected on the coast in the vicinity of the town of Fort Royal, defended by a strong citadel and various military works erected on the Morne Tortueson and the Morne Garnier, neighbouring heights which commanded the town. These were soon forced by the intrepidity of the English troops, which on no occasion displayed itself more conspicuously than in the attack of this island. On the 4th of February the commandant of the citadel ordered the chamade to be beat, and the garrison was permitted to march out with the honors of war. But the governor-general, M. de la Touche, retreated to the strong fortress of St. Pierre, situated to the leeward of Fort Royal, which he at first